microRNA-627-5p inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation,migration and invasion by targeting Wnt2

BACKGROUND microRNA-627-5p(miR-627-5p)dysregulation has been observed in several cancer types,such as hepatocellular carcinoma,oral squamous cell carcinoma,glioblastoma multiforme,and gastric cancer.The biological function of miR-627-5p in colorectal cancer(CRC)growth and metastasis is yet unclear.AIM To investigate the effects of miR-627-5p on the malignant biological properties of colorectal malignant tumour cells by targeting Wnt2.METHODS The levels of miR-627-5p in colorectal tumour tissues were assessed in Gene Expression Omnibus datasets.In order to identify Wnt2 transcript expression in CRC tissues,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)analysis was used.Luciferase reporter tests were used to explore whether miR-627-5p might potentially target Wnt2.Wnt2 transcript and protein levels were detected in CRC cells with high miR-627-5p expression.To learn more about how miR-627-5p affects CRC development,migration,apoptosis,and invasion,functional experiments were conducted.Cotransfection with the overexpression vector of Wnt2 and miR-627-5p mimics was utilized to verify whether overexpression of Wnt2 could cancel the impact of miR-627-5p in CRC.Western blot and qRT-PCR were conducted to investigate the effects of miR-627-5p on the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.RESULTS miR-627-5p was notably decreased in colorectal tumour tissues,while the gene level of Wnt2 was notably upregulated.A dual luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-627-5p specifically targets the 3’-untranslated regions of Wnt2 and miR-627-5p upregulation markedly reduced the protein and gene expression of Wnt2 in CRC cells.In vitro gain-of-function assays displayed that miR-627-5p overexpression decreased CRC cells’capabilities to invade,move,and remain viable while increasing apoptosis.Wnt2 overexpression could reverse the suppressive functions of miR-627-5p.Moreover,upregulation of miR-627-5p suppressed the transcript and protein levels of the downstream target factors in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling,such as c-myc,CD44,β-catenin,and cyclinD1.CONCLUSION miR-627-5p acts as a critical inhibitory factor in CRC,possibly by directly targeting Wnt2 and negatively modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling,revealing that miR-627-5p could be a possible treatment target for CRC.